Aali leaves behind a nation that loved his poetry

KARACHI: A pall of gloom descended upon followers of urdu poetry in particular and people in general as the news of Jamil uddin Aali’s demise spread far and wide on Monday.

The venerable poet, reaching his 90s, was for quite some time not seen much around – neither in social gatherings nor in any literary meeting, yet owing to his poetry that left an undeniable mark on public heart and mind the news about his being “No More” shook many.

Condolence messages started pouring in from across the country in no time – right from president of Pakistan to prime minister and from governors to chief ministers, scholars to academicians, researchers to vice chancellors and writers to poets all appeared mourning and synchronizing with the public mood.

Born in 1926, in a family of aristocrats, Nawabzada Mirza Jamiluddin Ahmed Khan of Loharo state, as per tradition of the time had many poets in his family including his father and paternal grand father.

Raju Jamil, Aaali’s eldest son said that mother of his illustrious father belonged to the family of Mir Dard, one of the most notable classical poets of persianized Hindustan (India).

Aaali was reportedly hospitalized a few days ago due to critical heart condition where he succumbed to his ailment Monday afternoon.

With one of his three sons and two daughters settled abroad, funeral has been decided to take place at Tooba Mosque, Defence Housing Authority, after Asr prayers Tuesday.

Mahmood Shaam, a senior journalist and writer paying glowing tribute to Aali said he will not only be remembered as a literary figure but also as a man who actually struggled for the protection of the rights of writers and poets.

He was one of the pioneer members of Pakistan Writers Guild, reminded Shaam mentioning that the man was also behind the inception of prestigious Adamjee Award, the country’s first literary award as such.

This, was said to be an appreciable step to bring closer the writers and poets of the eastern and western wings of the country in 1950s.

Vice Chancellor, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST), Prof DrSuleiman D Muhammad mentioning that Jamil uddin Aali was also among the pioneer members of Urdu College, said it was due to his tireless efforts and those of other like-minded people that college assumed the university status.

He was a strong proponent of urdu as medium of instruction right from school to university level education, said the FUUAST’s vice chancellor.

Registrar of FUUAST, Dr Asif Ali said people will never be able to forget his poetry, specifically his national songs.

His contribution as a scholar can also not be ignored, said Dr Asif mentioning that this duly recognized at international forums.

Jamiluddin Aali better known for his national songs gained immense popularity through “Jeeway Jeeway Pakistan”, that has assumed a status equivalent to the national song and because of its simple words is all time favorite for many of the local singers.

This was besides Aaye Watan Kay Sajeelay Jawano he penned in 1965 during Indo-Pak War and Hum Mustafavi – Mustafavi Hain on eve of Islamic Summit Conference in Lahore in 1973 alongwith several other songs that won him a place in the hearts of the entire nation.